Pune: First Case Filed in Maharashtra Against NCP Leader Jitendra Awhad’s Controversial Remarks About Lord Ram Being Meat-Eater
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 5th January 2024: The first case against NCP leader Jitendra Awhad’s controversial statement, Lord Ram being a meat-eater, has been filed in the Maharashtra state. Dheeraj Ghate (49), the BJP city president of Pune, lodged the complaint today at Vishrambaug Police Station, Pune City.
In his complaint, Ghate asserted that on January 3, 2024, around 7:30 pm, he was watching a live telecast of news on ABP Majha channel at the public relations office of party activist Raghavendra Deepak Mankar in Sadashiv Peth. During this broadcast, Awhad, a member of the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP, made provocative statements from the official platform of his party in Shirdi. Ghate claimed that Awhad’s remarks created tension in society and hurt religious sentiments.
Awhad allegedly commented that “Prabhu Shriramchandra was a non-vegetarian during his 14-year exile. Also, Prabhu Shriramchandra, the Ram of the Bahujans, was not a vegetarian; he was a meat-eater.”
“These statements were made in the context of the inauguration of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22”, Ghate accused Awhad of attempting to disrupt religious harmony and integrity by making offensive remarks about Lord Shri Ram, revered by Hindus.
"राम मांसाहारी होता" – जितेंद्र आव्हाडांचे वादग्रस्त वक्तव्य, विरोधक आक्रमक pic.twitter.com/xoTiTikWdN
— Punekar News (@punekarnews) January 4, 2024
The BJP leader filed the legal complaint against Awhad for his comments, stating that the provocative and offensive nature of the statements warranted legal action.
Based on the complaint, Pune Police has registered an FIR against Awhad, an MLA from Mumbra, for offence under section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
